Wilds of Scandinavia

June-July 2019

Journey into Lapland and the Scandinavian Arctic:

Purify in the Midnight Sun

Learn to speak some Finnish, Norwegian & Swedish

Drink in a strong infusion of DEEP silence

Explore caves, fjords, ancient forests, fells, and folklore

Drink deep of Sami Traditions

Facilitators:

Jeremy Schewe

Sanni Pääkkönen

Do you hear the Northlands calling you?

Imagine your feet pulsing on the earth, feeling the direct current of the Arctic wilds of Scandinavia. Finland, is the birthplace of seers, while Norway & Sweden host the harbors of Northmen and the heartland of Nordic traditions. This journey takes us into the heart of Lapland and the Arctic circle across all three countries. Lapland: the epicenter of the indigenous Sami and refuge for a vast expanse of wilderness of fells, mountains, boreal forest, tundra, and fjords sculpted by glaciers. Pure waters abound and beckon to the traveler. Sink into icy rivers, lakes, and the Arctic Sea while being refreshed by traditional and contemporary saunas. In the world between time, ice giants, dwarves, and dragons lurk at the edge of our imagination. Listen closely, and we can still hear their voices on the four winds.

Hail the Guardians! For hundreds of years, Finnish seers and wind magicians were coveted for their skills in the art of sea navigation and controlling the winds. Norwegians and Swedes are famous and infamous for their sea voyages and worldly exploits. And yet, the deep quiet of the Sami people is the true resonance of the land. Not only could they read the stars to navigate, but they could also read the invisible forces in the space between the stars. As you move through the Finnish landscape, whether these seers run through your DNA or you have begun to awaken your indigenous Wildsoul, you can feel as if you were walking through a waking dream. The Telluric currents, boreal forest, lakes, fens, and midnight sun all speak in the voice of the Four Winds, the heart of the Sami people.

Come journey in the Scandinavian Arctic with guardians of the northlands!

Itinerary:

Days 4-6 – Fly to Rovaniemi, Finland a drive to Pyhä-Luosto National Park. Hike into Isokuru for ancient forests and Pyhänkasteenputous (“initiate of the sacred”) waterfall that has been a part of water blessing ceremonies for centuries. Sami feast and yoiking on a reindeer farm. Sauna and cold plunge into the Kitinen River.

Days 6-8 – Drive from Pyhä-Luosto to Ivalo and from Ivalo to Inari. Visit Siida (The National Museum of the Finnish Sami). Take a ferry out to Ukonsaari Island, a rocky island with steep cliffs and sacred cave, rising in the middle of lake Inarijärvi. This is the most famous sacred place of worship among Sami people in Finland. Settle in for our homestay on a reindeer farm for our time in the region. Day hike out to the Cave of Tupavaara (Tupavaaran Luola ja Karhunpesä) and the bear nest through old-growth boreal forests. We will partake in a shamanic journey in the cave. Beautiful forests, cliffs, lakes, and fells in the some of the oldest trees and forest in the world. An evening of story telling around the fire, traditional Lapish meal, yoiking, deep listening, and sharing.

Days 9-11 – Journey into Norwegian fjords and Hammerfest.

Days 12-14 – Swedish and Finish highlands. Hiking the fells. Fly back to Helsinki.

Day 15 – Return home.

Ascend

Midnight Sun

Lavvu – Sami tent

Pure Waters

Reindeer codex

Traditional Peat Sauna

Perspective

Scandinavia (Summer 2019)

Luminescence

Fells & Tundra

Berries

Caves

Fjords

Passageways

Seacraft

Registration:

Early-bird cost*:

$2,795.00 / €2.380,00 per person (approx.)

* Deposit of $300.00 must be received prior November 21, 2018 to get the Early-bird rate.

REGISTRATION IS NOT OFFICIALLY OPEN. PLEASE USE OUR CONTACT FORM TO EXPRESS YOUR INTEREST IN THIS 2019 JOURNEY. Final dates will be announced in the winter of 2017-2018. Deposits of $300 per person must be received by November 21, 2018, in order to obtain the Early-bird rate. Registration is $2,795.00 for the Early-bird rate including all transportation, guide/entrance fees, accommodations, and more. You will be responsible for your own lunches and dinners, though these will be shared meals. The price will go up on November 22, 2018, to $3,195.00 per person.

It is preferred that you register by contacting Jeremy at jeremy.schewe@gmail.com and send a check by snail mail, but registration is also available online via PayPal. All payments are due by June 4, 2019. Cancellation refund policy is return of payment less a $175 service fee through June 4, 2019. After June 4, 2019, we will be unable to refund any cancellations.

You are responsible for your own flights to and from Helsinki (HEL) from your home city. We will have vans to transport everyone. In order to utilize this transportation, everyone must be landed in Helsinki and at the airport or other predetermined location by noon, local time, on the first day of our trip. This is when the vans will leave. Arrivals after 12:00 PM local time will need to find their own transportation means to the retreat center at the archipelago. Flights home should be scheduled no earlier than 12:00 pm.